Additional Info

Nearby Theaters

The Mid-City Theater opened on the first floor of a three-story brick building in 1913. The conversion work was carried out by architect Samuel R. Turner. By 1919 it had become an African-American theater operated by Sherman H. Dudley (an African-American). It opened mainly in the evenings and had a vaudeville act (or two) during the break between movies.

In 1930, Dudley sold the theater to a white-owned corporation. On 3rd March 1945, with an audience of 200 attending, its ceiling and large chandelier fell in the theater, and twenty people were injured. Repairs were made and the Mid-City Theater continued until closing in 1952.

This theater, unlike all others in the area, was fully integrated as both black and white patrons could sit anywhere. The Happyland (live theater?) and Gem had a divider down the center of the auditorium to separate the races.